The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
THE HOT CORNER
1 RED SOX: Less than a year after winning the World Series, the team is parting ways with Dave Dombrowski, who built World Series champs in Florida and Boston and also helped Detroit reach the Series twice. In three years as president of baseball operations, he took Boston from back-to-back last-place finishes to three straight AL East titles. “Four years ago, we were faced with a critical decision about the direction of the franchise,” Red Sox owner John Henry said in a statement. “With a World Series championship and three consecutive American League East titles, he has cemented what was already a Hall of Fame career.” A statement emailed to reporters quoted the team’s top brass but said there would be “no formal media availability” to discuss the move. Dombrowski did not immediately respond to a text message seeking comment.
2 CUBS: Nicholas Castellanos evidently found a ballpark that suits him. The outfielder — who openly complained about Comerica Park’s spacious dimensions this year when he was with Detroit — has flourished since a trade to Chicago. He has 13 home runs for Chicago in 35 games — two more than he hit in 100 games for the Tigers. Castellanos has six home runs at Wrigley Field after hitting only three at Comerica this year.
3 ASTROS: The Astros and Dodgers are neck and neck for the major league lead in run differential. Houston occupied the top spot after a 21-1 rout of Seattle on Sunday. The Astros beat Baltimore 23-2 this season and are the first team to win two games by 20 or more runs in a season since the Yankees did it three times in 1939.
4 ASTROS: Gerrit Cole — not about to be overshadowed by Houston’s staggering offensive display Sunday — struck out 15 and allowed only one hit in eight innings. He has won 12 straight decisions.